Beach artists collect $500 worth in benefit

March 13, 2013

Two local artists donated 100 percent of their earnings and three other artists donated one piece of art apiece to a good cause during a local artisan craft show at The Mermaid Lounge this past Saturday during the Beach Lions Shrimp Festival.

Beach artists John Heim and Justin Pablis collected nearly $250 from their art sales alone during a show entitled, "Fort Myers Beach Arts For Action." By the end of the day, that total was nearly doubled through other art sales, a raffle drive and donations to benefit the Children's Art Program at Beach Elementary School. Artists Robyn Leakey, Christine Sullivan and Cristin Shaw-Nee Fisher also contributed to the school fund.

Heim said the monetary goal was to raise roughly $200 for the kids' art advancement, but sales and donations kept coming in.

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BOB PETCHERBeach artist John Heim shows the artwork that was on display at Mermaid Lounge during Shrimp Fest Saturday. Some of the art was sold, and nearly $500 was brought in for the Beach Elementary Arts program.

"By the time we counted the money, I was blown away from the generosity of the community," said Heim.

The event actually brought in $474 for the Beach school Arts program. Heim decided to round up.

"I pulled the rest out of my pocket to make it an even $500," he said.

The artists began the set up at 7 a.m., started selling at 8 and kept going until 6 p.m.

"There was a lot of preparation and planning g involved," said Heim. "We were exhausted by the end, but there were smiles everywhere. Thanks go to the artists for plugging away."

Heim stated he has been invited to be a "guest art teacher" tomorrow (Thursday) with Beach school Art teacher Holly Nichols.

"I'm to give the kids a project which is based on art through expression of a message," he said. "In other words, each kid will create their own art with their own message or point they are making within the art. Holly thinks they will get a lot out of my lesson plan."

This is the second time Heim has contributed to the Beach school arts recently. It won't be the last.